Read Online Three Minutes to Happiness by Sally Clements - Free Book Online
Authors: Sally Clements
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from another. When baby number three peed all over the black velvet cover she’d set up for the photo, she didn’t even flinch, just replaced the soiled cover with a tiger print version.
Simon returned at around five carrying a box of cream cakes and three cappuccinos. She held the door open and took the coffees from him before he dropped them.
“Good meeting?” Simon was predictable; a good meeting was always celebrated. His mile-wide smile was another giveaway.
“Fan-bloody-tastic.” He flicked the sign on the door to ‘closed’ and walked through to the kitchen area in the back. “Come on, Fi, cake time.”
Fiona turned off her computer and followed them into the kitchen. “After today, I’m off motherhood for good.”
Simon looked up. “How did it go?”
“Good.” It had been hard work, but the photographs were worth it.
“Wait till you see the pictures,” Fiona said. “You might think they were perfect little angels but believe me, they were anything but. Val did a great job.”
Val grinned. “You deserve a cake for that.” She opened the box, took three plates from the cupboard over the sink, selected a cream-stuffed coffee slice and slid the box over.
“So, tell us all about it then, Simon.”
“I nailed it.”
Val and Fiona’s voices joined in congratulation.
“The shoot will take a week, and I fly out the day after tomorrow. Are you able to handle everything for that long?”
Val forced down the somersaults in her stomach. “No problem.”
“I spoke to Finn this morning and explained I had to be away. The offer was great, but the timing is wrong—how do you feel about trying for it?”
Val frowned . Finn? “I don’t know what you’re talking about. What offer from Finn?”
“He didn’t tell you?” Simon’s gaze was keen, questioning. “I thought…”
There was nothing for it; she’d have to fess up. “Finn isn’t exactly an old friend. I’ve met him a couple of times, that’s all. He didn’t mention anything about an offer.”
“Finn’s company has been asked to submit a proposal to be featured on TV, on Wonderful Houses . They need a portfolio of photographs of their past work to submit.” His voice lowered with emphasis. “A really impressive portfolio. They are asking a number of photographers to produce sample shots, and will choose the winner based on merit. He called this morning to organize the first session at a client’s house they completed six months ago.”
“I can’t do it.” Simon leaned forward. “But you can.”
Shock dried Val’s mouth. “I-I’ve never…”
Simon nodded. “I know. I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t think you had the skill and the eye to carry it off. But you do, Val. You do. You could work on those shots while I do the Enchant job. Pitch for the contract in your own right, I’ll help you work out the pricing. I’m confident that you can win.”
Val swallowed. I’m not ready, what if I screw it up? “What did you tell him?”
“I recommended you.”
This was it. A chance in a lifetime. If she nailed the contract, she’d join Simon not as a full time assistant, but as a photographer in her own right. The regular income would take the pressure off paying the rent and she could concentrate instead on finally making something of her career. She straightened her spine, and forced the fear down.
“I’ll call him.”
*****
Finn shoved his hands into the pockets of his wool coat as he strode from his BMW to the door of Logan & O’Donoghue. Each exhale produced an icy cloud of breath, and the tips of his ears stung in the chilled air. At least it wasn’t snowing.
A wall of warmth hit as he pushed open the door. A woman looked up from behind the blocky cube of the reception desk. “Good morning, Finn.” Logan & O’Donoghue written large in dark red script decorated the wall behind her.
“Good morning, Anna.” Finn took off his coat and hung it on the wooden coat stand. “Cold one this
Simon returned at around five carrying a box of cream cakes and three cappuccinos. She held the door open and took the coffees from him before he dropped them.
“Good meeting?” Simon was predictable; a good meeting was always celebrated. His mile-wide smile was another giveaway.
“Fan-bloody-tastic.” He flicked the sign on the door to ‘closed’ and walked through to the kitchen area in the back. “Come on, Fi, cake time.”
Fiona turned off her computer and followed them into the kitchen. “After today, I’m off motherhood for good.”
Simon looked up. “How did it go?”
“Good.” It had been hard work, but the photographs were worth it.
“Wait till you see the pictures,” Fiona said. “You might think they were perfect little angels but believe me, they were anything but. Val did a great job.”
Val grinned. “You deserve a cake for that.” She opened the box, took three plates from the cupboard over the sink, selected a cream-stuffed coffee slice and slid the box over.
“So, tell us all about it then, Simon.”
“I nailed it.”
Val and Fiona’s voices joined in congratulation.
“The shoot will take a week, and I fly out the day after tomorrow. Are you able to handle everything for that long?”
Val forced down the somersaults in her stomach. “No problem.”
“I spoke to Finn this morning and explained I had to be away. The offer was great, but the timing is wrong—how do you feel about trying for it?”
Val frowned . Finn? “I don’t know what you’re talking about. What offer from Finn?”
“He didn’t tell you?” Simon’s gaze was keen, questioning. “I thought…”
There was nothing for it; she’d have to fess up. “Finn isn’t exactly an old friend. I’ve met him a couple of times, that’s all. He didn’t mention anything about an offer.”
“Finn’s company has been asked to submit a proposal to be featured on TV, on Wonderful Houses . They need a portfolio of photographs of their past work to submit.” His voice lowered with emphasis. “A really impressive portfolio. They are asking a number of photographers to produce sample shots, and will choose the winner based on merit. He called this morning to organize the first session at a client’s house they completed six months ago.”
“I can’t do it.” Simon leaned forward. “But you can.”
Shock dried Val’s mouth. “I-I’ve never…”
Simon nodded. “I know. I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t think you had the skill and the eye to carry it off. But you do, Val. You do. You could work on those shots while I do the Enchant job. Pitch for the contract in your own right, I’ll help you work out the pricing. I’m confident that you can win.”
Val swallowed. I’m not ready, what if I screw it up? “What did you tell him?”
“I recommended you.”
This was it. A chance in a lifetime. If she nailed the contract, she’d join Simon not as a full time assistant, but as a photographer in her own right. The regular income would take the pressure off paying the rent and she could concentrate instead on finally making something of her career. She straightened her spine, and forced the fear down.
“I’ll call him.”
*****
Finn shoved his hands into the pockets of his wool coat as he strode from his BMW to the door of Logan & O’Donoghue. Each exhale produced an icy cloud of breath, and the tips of his ears stung in the chilled air. At least it wasn’t snowing.
A wall of warmth hit as he pushed open the door. A woman looked up from behind the blocky cube of the reception desk. “Good morning, Finn.” Logan & O’Donoghue written large in dark red script decorated the wall behind her.
“Good morning, Anna.” Finn took off his coat and hung it on the wooden coat stand. “Cold one this
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